RTÉ Investigates programme to be aired on Monday examines illegitimate sales of weight loss drugs, despite some being labelled as ‘not for human use’
“I was absolutely shocked to see the use of a drug that I’m hoping to have access to in two years’ time quite widely being distributed through cosmetic outlets in Ireland,” he said.Barry Keoghan slams ‘inhumane’ abuse and harassment of his family: ‘I can only take so much’“These are obesity treatments, they are not weight loss drugs. And people who are using them for weight loss – the minute you stop these drugs, the weight goes back on. The cultural narrative around this is very disturbing.
In most cases the products are openly advertised on social media as “skinny pens” or “skinny jabs”, the programme producers said. “What stunned me is that retatrutide is not available as a drug yet ... but some of the cosmetic outlets are sourcing it, allegedly, from a compound pharmacy in the States and giving it to people in Ireland,” said Prof O’Shea, highlighting the danger in using medication “for a disease you don’t have”.“Criminals are drawn to the illegal trade in these new medicines because it presents a lucrative opportunity to exploit high demand and limited supply,” it said in response to the programme.